Only the energy of a few people, Padrós, Parages, Aparici, Chuilla, Saura, Prats and some others, contains the defections. The president, Adolfo Melendez, back and forth to Morocco, and his repeated prayers to replace him are not taken into account, as this would have seemed a tough call in these circumstances. It is at this time, early years of the decade, when there is a qualitative leap in the emerging sport. After the first moments of curiosity about the new sport, started the task of keeping sports and corporate efforts. The leaders noted that to overcome the economic instability it is necessary to increase the social mass of spectators who come to the field.
The Bernabéu family sets foot in the Club
Antonio, Marcelo and Santiago Bernabéu joined Madrid Football Club at the start of the 20th Century and forever left their mark on its history. Antonio had the organisational talent: he was a founding member of Bologna FC and later became President of the Spanish Football Association. Marcelo was an outstanding player, and Santiago was everything possible for the Club: player, delegate, director, secretary, and President.
Bernabéu debuts at the age of 16
Santiago Bernabéu made his Madrid debut on March 3, 1912 when he was only 16 years old. It was in a friendly match against English Sports Club, and it took place at the "Pradera del Corregidor", along the Manzanares river in Madrid. The Madridista squad defeated the English side 2-1, and Bernabéu, playing as a left midfielder, scored the winning goal.
Creation of the Regional FA and his first tournament
Adolfo Meléndez, two-time President of Madrid (1908-10 and 1913-16), presided the meeting hosted by Madrid, during which, the Madrilenian FA was created. Acting as Secretary, the main overseer of the Club signed the accord which, among other agreements, established the first competition between teams from the city, and whose winner would be elegible to play in the Spanish Championship.
Inauguration of O'Donnell Field
October 31, 1912 witnessed the inauguration of O'Donnell Field. The playing field was sandy and had a size of 115 meters long by 85 wide. The stage was packed into a true team effort. The majority of partners-including Santiago Bernabeu, his brother, Marcelo, Pedro Parages, Chulilla, etc .- are put to work clearing the land, driving stakes or arranging seats. The increasing influx of spectators forced to take a measure of some significance: separating players from spectators by a physical barrier. Thanks to the alms of the partners and a loan that made Parages, Revuelto and Juan Padrós as well as the material provided by the timber handler Adrian Piera, was built the first fence to prevent the invasion of fans to the field. This work marked the transition from a precursor game to a mass show and represented one of the large disbursements of that prehistoric Madrid.
Two days later, the headline of Spanish daily ABC said: “The match between Sporting Club of Irún and Madrid, was held at Madrid's field and was a booming success. Sporting Club is one of the best teams to visit Madrid. They pass very well and have a beautiful aerial game. Perhaps they missed in the sandy pitch. Madrid deserve the most profound congratulations for playing against a team as fine as Sporting".
The regional tournament decked in white
The Regional Championship of the city will always be linked to the history of Real Madrid. While Adolfo Meléndez, President of the Club, pushed for the creation of the tournament, the Madridistas became its domineering participant, winning 12 of the 18 editions.
Madrid-Barcelona: Eternal, epic qualifier
The semifinal of the 1916 Spanish Cup between Madrid and Barcelona turned into an eternal and epic elimination round. In those days, goals difference didn't count so the teams had to play four matches to determine the winner. Barça won the first game in the "Ciudad Condal" 2-1. Then Madrid defeated Barcelona 4-1 on the field of the Spanish Capital. The last two matches were played at Real Madrid's field. By the end of regulation time in the first, the score was a draw 4-4 and ended 6-6 at the end of extra time. Finally, Madrid defeated Barcelona 4-2 in the fourth match and qualified for the final.
The hostilities begin
In the final match of the mentioned 1916 Cup semifinals, Barcelona players walked off the pitch with seven minutes remaining in protest of the fourth goal, which they considered to be offside. During the final between Madrid and Athletic Bilbao, hosted by Español in Barcelona, the "Guardia Civil" (Spain's Civil Guard), had to protect Madrid players on their way into the dressing room. Later on, rocks and stones were thrown at the bus that transported the team to the hotel. The hostilities between the two clubs had begun.
Alfonso XIII grants the title of Real
On 29 June 1920, the club received a communication from the Primary Superintendent of his Majesty the King Alfonso XIII, which granted Madrid the title of Real. The decision, which would change the entity's original name, was eagerly anticipated by the Madridista Director.
The first tour takes place in Italy
In 1920, Madrid went on its first tour, comprised of five matches in Italy. The trip was organised by Natalio Rivas, another of the founding members of Bolonga and Madridista player. The budget for the expedition was very small, so the team was forced to eat at the cheapest restaurants they could find.
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